On October 11, 2021 at 8:29 pm, the Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call of a possible house fire on 10th Ave. SW. Douglas County deputies and Garfield Fire Department responded. Deputies arrived on scene and there were visible flames on one side of the house. The house was dark and the door was locked. Garfield Fire Department arrived on scene a short time later. The Alexandria Fire Department was also called to the scene for mutual aid.
A short time later the flames were extinguished, but not before extensive damage was done to the house and its contents.

The fire appears to have started in the kitchen area of the house. The exact cause of the fire is unknown but it does not appear to be suspicious. The property owner, Mario Rodriquez, was contacted and he stated he left the property around noon and he verified that nobody was home at the time of the fire.
Garfield First Responders were also on scene and the Minnesota State Patrol assisted with traffic control.